<p>ADA TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A western Michigan couple has been sentenced to 15 days each in a county jail after an 18-year-old who had drank alcohol during a party at their home later was killed in a crash.</p>
<p>David and Nichole Kooistra pleaded no contest Monday in Kent County District Court to misdemeanor allowing alcohol consumption by a minor on premises at a social gathering, <a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2021/03/couple-who-hosted-underage-drinking-prior-to-teens-fatal-crash-sentenced-to-15-days-in-jail.html">according to</a> MLive.com.</p>
<p>Each also has to pay fines and complete one year of probation.</p>
<p>Police have said that John Holmes’ blood-alcohol content was about three times Michigan’s legal limit when the car he was driving went off a road last June, flipped and caught fire.</p>
<p>About 25 to 30 others had attended a birthday party at the home, just east of Grand Rapids. The couple’s daughter is a 2020 graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High School, <a href="https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/crime/couple-jailed-for-allowing-underage-drinking-at-party-that-preceded-grads-death-in-fiery-crash/69-a252c979-6de3-4672-acca-e534962698ce">WZZM-TV</a> reported.</p>
<p>“The court has a belief that once you allow, you encourage,” Judge Jeffrey O’Hara said Monday. “You both knowingly allowed teenagers to consume alcohol at your home, and you both allowed this tragic event.”</p>
<p>Defense attorneys denied the couple knew that alcohol was being consumed.</p>
<p>Holmes had attended Grand Rapids Christian and played on the school’s football team, MLive.com reported.</p>
